大象传媒

Marketing, Communications, and Development Affinity Group Meeting

Session Details Coming Soon! These sessions are open to all attendees regardless of membership in the group and within 大象传媒

10:15 AM - 11:10 AM CT

Small Schools Affinity Group Meeting

Amplifying Leadership: Your Role in Strategic Engagement: Associate Deans, Chairs, Directors, etc. play a pivotal role in advancing their institution鈥檚 external engagement strategy. This interactive session will explore how we can more effectively support the Dean鈥檚 efforts in marketing, communications, and relationship-building. Participants will reflect on their current contributions, identify areas for greater strategic alignment, and explore practical approaches to enhance collaboration across key engagement functions. Through guided discussion and peer exchange, attendees will gain insights into leveraging their unique positions to amplify institutional impact. The session will conclude with the development of a personalized short-term action plan to strengthen their leadership in external engagement. Join us to elevate your role and drive meaningful connections that support your school鈥檚 mission and visibility. These sessions are open to all attendees regardless of membership in the group or within 大象传媒!

Andrew Pueschel

Director, Center for International Business Education and Development and Associate Professor of Marketing

Ohio University

10:15 AM - 11:10 AM CT

Online Learning Affinity Group Meeting

Session Details Coming Soon! These sessions are open to all attendees regardless of membership status in the group or within 大象传媒!

11:30 AM - 12:25 PM CT

Women Advancing Management Education Affinity Group Meeting

Session Details Coming Soon! These sessions are open to all attendees regardless of membership in the group or within 大象传媒!

11:30 AM - 12:25 PM CT

Summit Check-in, Lunch & Networking

Session Details Coming Soon! These sessions are open to all attendees regardless of membership in the group or within 大象传媒!

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM CT

Welcome, Opening Remarks, and Shark Tank Sessions

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM CT

Integrating AI Tools into the Business Curriculum to Improve Career Readiness, Skills and Competencies of Students

Kick off the afternoon with insights into the purpose of the Summit and what to expect from the sessions ahead, followed by Shark Tank Sessions, a pitch-style showcase of innovative solutions and industry collaborations.

Resource Session

Scaling Career-Connected Learning: Embedding Industry & Impact into the Business Degree

Explore how three leading business schools鈥擡ndicott College, Coastal Carolina University, and UT-Dallas鈥攕uccessfully integrated an AI career readiness tool into their curriculum. This session will delve into their unique approaches to improving student career readiness, showcasing how the AI tool provided valuable insights into student growth, including resume development, skill acquisition, and competency enhancement. Learn practical strategies and best practices for leveraging AI to elevate learning outcomes within your own business school.

Monica B Fine

Associate Dean

Coastal Carolina University

Sarah Moore

Director, Business Communication Program & Center

The University of Texas at Dallas

Thomas N Kushner

Dean, School of Business

Endicott College

4:15 PM - 4:45 PM CT

Resource Session

Conference Check-In and Information

As student expectations and employer demands evolve, business schools are reimagining how they deliver career-connected, industry-integrated experiences with top employer brands that lead to meaningful outcomes. This panel brings together leaders who are embedding High-Impact Practices (HIPs) into the business degree鈥攁t scale and for credit鈥攖o strengthen student retention, engagement, and career readiness. Join us for a candid conversation on scaling experiential learning that delivers real-world value. Panelists will share practical examples from their institutions, key lessons learned, and how they鈥檙e aligning innovation with mission, student success, and industry integration in the classroom.

Angela Davis

Senior Associate Dean for Academic Programs

University of Oregon

Casey Evans

Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs and Student Services, Kogod School of Business

American University

Chris Parrish

Co-Founder & President of Partnerships

Podium Education

Thursday

September 11

8:30 AM - 9:30 AM CT

Breakfast and Networking

Begin your day by networking over breakfast. This is an excellent opportunity to reconnect with colleagues, make new connections, and discuss the sessions ahead.

8:30 AM - 5:15 PM CT

8:30 AM - 12:30 PM CT

Exhibitor Showcase

9:00 AM - 9:45 AM CT

Member-Driven METRO Business Schools Affinity Group Meeting

Conference Welcome & Keynote: Getting It Done: Motivation Strategies for Change and Success

Session Details Coming Soon!

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM CT

Join us for a welcome message from Lily Bi, President and CEO of 大象传媒 International, followed by the opening keynote session by Professor Ayelet Fishbach. Drawing from cutting-edge research, Professor Fishbach will explore what truly drives us 鈥� how to set meaningful goals, maintain momentum, harness feedback, and cultivate lasting motivation. Learn actionable strategies to overcome obstacles, inspire others, and create a more purposeful path to personal and professional success.

Ayelet Fishbach

Professor of Behavioral Science and Marketing

The University of Chicago

Lily Bi

President and CEO

大象传媒 International

11:00 AM - 11:30 AM CT

(A1) Graduation is Just the Beginning: Teaching Resilience for the Real World

11:30 AM - 12:30 PM CT

The transition from college to career can be filled with uncertainty, stress, and self-doubt for graduating seniors. Launch courses, sometimes called senior seminars or off-boarding experiences, can help students build the resilience and life skills needed to navigate this pivotal moment with confidence. In this session, presenters will share practical models for designing and implementing these courses, drawing on successful examples that foster reflective growth, emotional readiness, and long-term adaptability. Participants will leave with actionable strategies to integrate resilience-focused learning into existing curricula and inspiration for piloting launch initiatives at their own institutions.

Moderator

Shannon Brecheisen

Assistant Dean

Michigan State University

Jessica Taverna

Assistant Dean, Undergraduate Studies

University of Utah

Marla McGraw

Assistant Dean, Career Management

Michigan State University

11:30 AM - 12:30 PM CT

(A2) Eyes on the Future: Succession Strategies for Associate Deans

Leadership from the middle isn't just about navigating the present, it's also about building the future. As an associate dean, your unique cross-functional perspective positions you to identify and mentor emerging leaders across your institution. This session explores how to intentionally approach succession planning, both for your role and others across the college. You'll reflect on your evolving leadership journey, learn how to spot and support potential successors, and begin crafting a personal action plan to ensure leadership continuity and institutional strength. Whether you're planning your next step or just getting started, this session will help you lead with a legacy in mind.

Tamra Connor

Associate Dean for Accreditation and Operation

Illinois State University

12:30 PM - 1:30 PM CT

Shaping the Future: Listening and Feedback Session on the Revision of 大象传媒 Accreditation Standards

Join Stephanie Bryant, 大象传媒鈥檚 Executive Vice President and Global Chief Accreditation Officer, and Libby Rozell, Regional Head of the Americas, for a dynamic listening session focused on the revision of the 大象传媒 Business Accreditation Standards, with an opportunity to provide input on the Accounting Accreditation Standards as well. This interactive session is your chance to engage directly with 大象传媒 leadership, share your perspectives as associate deans, and help shape the next generation of standards that reflect the evolving landscape of business and accounting education. Your voice will influence how 大象传媒 ensures global relevance, academic quality, and societal impact in our accreditation processes. Whether you have feedback on the current standards, suggestions for improvement, or ideas to make the standards more agile and accessible, we would like to hear from you. This is more than a listening session鈥攊t鈥檚 a collaborative dialogue about the future of accreditation.

Elizabeth Rozell

Regional Head, Americas

大象传媒 International

Stephanie M. Bryant

Executive Vice President and Chief Accreditation Officer, Americas

大象传媒 International

3:00 PM - 3:45 PM CT

(B1) Fishing for Insight: Playing Your Way to Academic Innovation

Ready to play your way into deeper thinking? This highly interactive session transforms the classic card game 鈥淕o Fish鈥� into a creative exploration of how curiosity can drive innovation in business education. In small groups, participants will 鈥渇ish鈥� for cards representing themes like teaching strategies, technology, assessment, scholarly inquiry, and leadership. As you collect sets, you鈥檒l engage in reflective discussions designed to surface practical and inspiring ways to embed curiosity into your classrooms, research, and administrative leadership. Leave energized鈥攚ith new ideas, strategies, and a fresh perspective on cultivating curiosity as a tool for meaningful change.

Amy McMillan

Associate Dean Research and Regional Transformation

East Carolina University

Wendy J. Walker

Associate Dean for Faculty and Graduate Programs

University of North Georgia

3:00 PM - 3:45 PM CT

(B2) Bridging Support and Instruction: Collaborative Approaches to Advancing Learner Success

Today鈥檚 business students enter the classroom with diverse identities, experiences, and learning needs. How can business schools evolve to meet them where they are? This session highlights innovative approaches to align student support services with inclusive teaching practices. Learn how institutions are implementing systemic changes through experiential learning, cross-functional collaboration, and inclusive pedagogy. You鈥檒l gain actionable insights to create a cohesive and high-impact learning environment that supports all students鈥攂oth inside and outside the classroom.

Janine Sanders Jones

Associate Dean of Faculty Success

University of St. Thomas-Minnesota

Kacy Hayes

Assistant Dean of Student Success

University of San Diego

3:45 PM - 4:15 PM CT

Global Insights: Associate Dean Leadership Across Borders

4:15 PM - 5:15 PM CT

Business education challenges often span borders, but solutions are shaped by context. This session features associate deans discussing how global trends鈥擜I integration, societal impact, and learner expectations鈥攑lay out in their regions. Explore leadership strategies, policy constraints, and partnership innovations from around the world.

5:30 PM - 6:30 PM CT

Evening Reception

The reception will be held at Loyola University Chicago, Schreiber Center. 7-minute walk from the Conference.

Friday

September 12

8:30 AM - 9:30 AM CT

Breakfast & Networking

Begin the final day with networking over breakfast. Reflect on the insights gained and prepare for the final sessions.

8:30 AM - 4:00 PM CT

Conference Check-in and Information

8:30 AM - 12:00 PM CT

Exhibitor Showcase

8:45 AM - 9:30 AM CT

(C1) Unlocking Impact: The Value of 大象传媒 Membership

Discover how 大象传媒 Membership connects your institution to a global network of schools and industry partners, providing access to thought leadership, benchmarking tools, and collaboration opportunities. This session highlights the strategic benefits of membership鈥攅nhancing curriculum relevance, employer engagement, and institutional visibility. Learn how joining 大象传媒鈥檚 business community can help shape the future of business education.

Brittaney Mericle

Membership Community Manager

大象传媒 International

Elizabeth Rozell

Regional Head, Americas

大象传媒 International

8:45 AM - 9:30 AM CT

(C2) Let鈥檚 Talk about Certs (Badges)鈥nd How to Align with the Employer Market

Over the past decade, resumes and LinkedIn profiles have become saturated with certificates, badges, and other micro-credentials, creating challenges for hiring managers tasked with identifying qualified talent. A recent survey of over 100 hiring managers was conducted to gain insight into how non-degree credentials are assessed and valued by these key decision-makers. This session presents actionable recommendations to inform the development of future non-degree offerings鈥攃overing content, categorization, and structure鈥攖hrough the lens of a Director of Executive Education at a Big Ten institution and a strategic consulting firm.

Sarah Ham

Director, Executive Education Programs

Purdue University

Steve Shriberg

Associate Vice President, Consulting Services

Eduvantis, LLC

9:45 AM - 10:45 AM CT

Keynote II: The Employer鈥檚 Verdict: Are Business Schools Getting It Wrong?

This panel brings together business leaders to share candid perspectives on how business schools can better prepare students for today's fast-evolving professional landscape. Panelists will discuss the skills gaps they encounter in recent graduates, the emerging competencies they value most, and offer practical insights into how academic institutions can reshape curricula and co-curricular learning to align more closely with real-world business needs.

Moderator

Vadim Revzin

Founding Co-Director

School16

Michael Furgason

Head of Government & Academic SMB Sales North America

Shawna Oliver

Director of Global Mergers & Acquisitions

WTW

10:45 AM - 11:15 AM CT

(D1) The AI Accreditation Use Case Hub

11:15 AM - 12:00 PM CT

Join Stephanie Bryant, Executive Vice President of 大象传媒 International, to explore the groundbreaking AI Use Case Hub for Accreditation. Stephanie will guide you through practical AI applications, demonstrating use cases and effective AI prompts designed for deans, administrators, and faculty. Learn how to leverage AI to meet and maintain 大象传媒 accreditation standards, while gaining actionable insights to transform your institution's approach. This session offers a unique opportunity to understand and implement AI solutions for a smoother, more effective accreditation process for your business school.

Stephanie M. Bryant

Executive Vice President and Chief Accreditation Officer, Americas

大象传媒 International

11:15 AM - 12:00 PM CT

(D2) Maximizing Alumni Relations

Associate Deans of undergraduate programs have a unique vantage point to foster powerful alumni connections. By sharing authentic student experiences and cultivating purposeful collaborations, Associate Deans can play a vital role in deepening alumni engagement and supporting development goals. This session explores strategies for partnering with deans and advancement teams to align academic and alumni relations efforts. Learn how to create impactful alumni involvement opportunities鈥攕uch as mentoring, speaking, and student support鈥攁nd walk away with actionable ideas, lessons learned, and space to brainstorm new approaches to alumni engagement.

Charles Wayne Keene

Associate Dean For Undergraduate Programs

The University of Iowa

Laurie Miller

Associate Dean of Undergraduate Programs and Curriculum

University of Nebraska-Lincoln

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM CT

(E1) Leading Without a Map: Strategic Navigation for Associate Deans

Associate Deans often find themselves in a unique position鈥攃aught between institutional vision and operational reality. This interactive session explores what it means to lead constructively from the middle. Through real-world examples and facilitated peer discussion, participants will unpack common leadership dilemmas: championing top-down initiatives they may not fully support, challenging upward when necessary, advancing their own ideas amid skepticism, and managing their own professional growth. The session will offer practical strategies for influencing across levels, building peer support networks, navigating difficult conversations, and identifying high-impact areas for associate dean leadership. Come prepared to share, reflect, and leave with insights to strengthen your leadership impact.

M. Travis Maynard

Senior Associate Dean - Academic Programs

Colorado State University

Victoria A. Parker

Associate Dean

Peter T. Paul College of Business and Economics, University of New Hampshire

1:15 PM - 2:00 PM CT

(E2) Assurance of Learning as a Strategic Lever for Innovation

Assurance of Learning (AoL) is more than a compliance exercise鈥攊t鈥檚 a strategic opportunity to enhance educational quality. As an associate dean, you play a pivotal role in managing this complex process. This interactive session reframes AoL through the lens of project management, focusing on how to gather stakeholder input, build faculty buy-in, design meaningful assessments, and turn data into curricular improvements. You'll explore practical strategies for creating and documenting an effective AoL plan, while balancing both direct and indirect assessment methods. Walk away with a clear framework for leading AoL as a catalyst for continuous improvement and innovation.

Wafa Hakim Orman

Associate Dean, College of Business

University of Alabama in Huntsville

2:00 PM - 2:30 PM CT